The Douglas Tigers Pop Warner Junior Midget football team advanced to Saturday's Snowbowl Championship game with a win over the Reno Patriots 27-0 Friday night.
The Tigers' special teams were key as a perfectly placed kick by Michael Nolting was recovered by Conner Peterson to start the game.
Two plays later Peterson scored to quickly put the Tigers up 6-0.
Linemen Jason Connolly, Jackson Ketron, Jake Connolly, Michael Hoyt, and Steven Werth were exceptional in opening up holes for the Tiger running attack.
After some great defensive line play by J.P. Garner and Dylan Wilson the Tigers got the ball back.
With offensive linemen Jimmy King, Luke Nagy, Jesse Urteaga, Michael Scarmella, and Joey White now paving the way, running back Jack Crawford busted a great run and then wide receiver Isaac Keway caught a nice pass for a first down from quarterback Nolting.
The very next play Keway made an awesome catch in the corner of the end zone resulting in a touchdown. With Nolting kicking the extra point it put the Tigers up 14-0.
On the next kickoff Michael Hoyt hustled to the ball and recovered it, the second for the Tigers special teams.
However the Tigers were unable to score and the Patriots showed no signs of giving up as they repeatedly tested the Tiger defense.
Defensive backs Connor Hughes, Erik Edwards, Nolting, Keway, and Crawford all did an exceptional job in keeping the Patriot receivers out of the end zone.
Defensive ends Werth, Jake Connolly, and Ketron started putting more pressure on the Patriot quarterback which definitely helped also. With the good pass coverage and more pressure up front, linebackers Sam Cochran, Peterson, Jason Connolly, and Hoyt were able to clean things up in the middle with some bone crushing hits.
Tight end Connor Greth also caught a long pass from quarterback Cochran in the second half and fullback Colton McKone also had some nice runs and great blocks as Peterson scored two more touchdowns to complete the scoring for the Tigers.
The Tigers face the Sparks Steelers in the championship game in Sparks Saturday at Don Mello Sports complex. The Tigers defeated Sparks earlier in the season in a 21-19 victory. The Tigers are hoping to win their third consecutive Snowbowl championship. Game time is at 2 p.m.
